New Higher Education Funding Model: 5 Things You Need To Know About Eligibility, Application Procedure

• The government has unveiled a game-changing funding model to assist 2022 KCSE students as they enter higher education institutions
• Under the new funding model, students experiencing financial difficulties will be exempted from paying tuition fees and other related expenses
• Students who hadn't previously applied for financial aid will need to utilise the newly introduced application platform

The government has unveiled a new funding model to help the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) students as they join various higher education institutions.

The new funding model aims at ensuring students facing financial hardships will not be required to pay any fees to colleges and universities, including their upkeep.

Any student who, before the introduction of the new funding model, had not applied for financing will be required to apply through the new platform.

Key to note is that all continuing students will not be affected by the funding model and will continue receiving funding based on the government’s existing model.

TUKO.co.ke takes you through the key features of the new funding mode and what you need to know about it.

1. Students from extremely needy households to get 100% financing

The new funding model accommodates varying household models per President William Ruto’s directive when he unveiled it on May 3, 2023.

Students from vulnerable and extremely needy households will receive 100% funding.

The needy and less needy will get 93% government funding and a paltry 7% contribution from their households to cover the tuition fees.

2. University and TVET students with letters are eligible

All university and TVET students who have received placement letters from universities and TVET colleges as per the placement from Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) are eligible for funding under the new model.

3. Students classified into four categories

The government has classified students seeking funding into four categories to facilitate fair and effective funding distribution.

They are vulnerable, extremely needy, needy and less needy.

The students joining private institutions, too, are eligible for the HELB loan and are encouraged to apply.

4. Family economic background to be evaluated

An evaluation of family economic backgrounds will guide the distribution of funding across these categories to ensure that students from poor households are given priority.

This is in terms of scholarship allocation, while those from less needy households are covered by loan financing from Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) as has been in the past.

How to apply for scholarships, loans in the portal

For those seeking funding, applications must be submitted through the Higher Education Financing Portal at www.hef.co.ke between August 8, 2023, and midnight on September 7, 2023.

Students and parents are encouraged to visit the official website and HEFB, UFB, or Huduma centres for accurate information and assistance regarding the new funding model.

In a bid to democratise higher education access and address financial barriers, this progressive funding model promises to be a transformative step forward for Kenya's education landscape.

European university giving Kenyan students free education

TUKO.co.ke previously reported students from humble backgrounds who have completed secondary school education have an opportunity to further their studies free of charge at a university in Luxembourg.

The European Business University (EBU) of Luxembourg is offering scholarships to students in Asia, Latin America and Africa, primarily to Kenyan learners.

The prestigious learning institution based in Wiltz city is headed by a Kenyan, James Mulli, who doubles up as the university's Academic Dean.

In a past address, Mulli said EBU is mainly committed to the idea that evolving innovation is the enabler that will benefit those who cannot afford higher education.